Methods and apparatuses for reducing bleeding via electrical trigeminal nerve stimulation
Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for reducing or limiting bleeding (e.g., blood loss and/or bleeding time) in an animal by trigeminal stimulation. The apparatuses and methods may activate one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. This activation may be invasive or non-invasive.
1. A method of reducing bleeding in a subject, the method comprising:
applying one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation to the subject's trigeminal nerve, wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises avoiding triggering a diver's reflex, and thereby reducing bleeding by at least 20%.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises stimulating the trigeminal nerve at between 0.1 Hz and 100 Hz for greater than 10 minutes.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying electrical stimulation noninvasively to the subject's trigeminal nerve.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying electrical stimulation between 1-50 Hz and between 0.5-15V having a pulse width of between 0.5 ms and 10 ms.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying non-invasive mechanical stimulation.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises stimulating one of an ophthalmic, maxillary or mandibular branch of the subject's trigeminal nerve.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises stimulating two or more of an ophthalmic, maxillary or mandibular branch of the subject's trigeminal nerve.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises stimulating sensory fibers of the subject's trigeminal nerve.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying unilateral stimulation to the subject's trigeminal nerve.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying bilateral stimulation to the subject's trigeminal nerve.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing said bleeding comprises reducing said bleeding by at least 30%.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation consists of stimulating the trigeminal nerve.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises stimulating the trigeminal nerve at between 0.1 Hz and 500 Hz for greater than 1 minute.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises applying electrical stimulation between 0.1-500 Hz and between 1 mA-50 mA having a pulse width of between 0.1 ms and 10 ms.
15. A method of reducing bleeding in a subject that has been treated with an anticoagulant, the method comprising:
applying one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation to the subject's trigeminal nerve at a frequency of between 0.1 Hz and 500 Hz for greater than 1 minute, wherein applying said one or more of mechanical or electrical stimulation comprises avoiding triggering a diver's reflex, and thereby reducing bleeding by at least 20%.
16. A method of reducing bleeding in a subject, the method comprising:
delivering, via a stimulator, stimulation therapy to the subject while avoiding triggering a diver's reflex, wherein
the stimulation therapy comprises at least one of mechanical stimulation or electrical stimulation of a trigeminal nerve of the subject, and
the stimulation therapy is configured to reduce bleeding volume; and
maintaining the stimulation therapy for greater than 1 minute;
wherein the stimulation therapy reduces at least one of the bleeding volume or a bleeding time by at least 20%.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the stimulation therapy is configured to accelerate clot formation at a bleeding site.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the stimulation therapy is configured to modulate parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activities.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the stimulation therapy comprises at least one of mechanical stimulation or electrical stimulation of a vagus nerve of the subject.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the stimulation therapy is configured to reduce bleeding volume by more than 10%.
21. The method of claim 16 , wherein delivering the stimulation therapy comprises delivering at least a portion of the stimulation therapy prior to the bleeding in the subject.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein delivering the stimulation therapy comprises delivering the stimulation therapy before a medical procedure and/or during a medical procedure.
23. The method of claim 16 , wherein the stimulation therapy is a non-invasive electrical stimulation therapy.